Percy Harvin makes long-awaited return to practice

RENTON – Percy Harvin's first practice in more than a month drew a quick reaction from the man who will be responsible for throwing him the ball.

Then again, with Harvin there's no such thing as a slow response.

"Just having him out there, I'm happy for him," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said of receiver Percy Harvin, who returned to practice Thursday. (AP) | More photos

"He's like a racehorse, man," quarterback Russell Wilson said. "When you see him run, he can run for days."

Right now, the Seahawks would settle for him running Friday at practice. That will be the next test of Harvin's readiness to play after Thursday's workout, his first with the team since he made his one – and only – regular-season appearance for the Seahawks on Nov. 17. Harvin missed the last five games because of persistent soreness in his surgically repaired hip.

Seattle's players returned to work Thursday for the first of two days of workouts before they will get Saturday and Sunday off, having earned a bye through the first weekend of the playoffs by virtue of the 13-3 record, best in the NFC.

Because the Seahawks are not playing a game this weekend, they are not required by the league to submit an injury report. While local reporters are allowed to watch Seattle's practice, the team prohibits detailing what happens there, including how much Harvin practiced.

Harvin was not available to answer questions after Thursday's workout, and is not expected to be available for interviews until later next week.

"To get him back out on the field, you can see his effect," Wilson said. "You can sense his ability. Just having him out there, I'm happy for him. I really hope he can play in the playoffs. I hope he can get out there and get that feeling again of being a big-time football player like he always has been. We're excited about that if that's the case."

Even more important than getting back to the practice field would be staying there, and if Harvin can work out again Friday, the next question becomes whether he'll be able to fully participate in practice – and not just individual drills – next week when the Seahawks are truly preparing for their divisional-round game.

For now, the possibility that Harvin will return is hanging over the Seahawks' week off, and the speculation of his availability for the playoffs will only increase after Thursday's workout.

"Obviously, he's one of the most dynamic players in the league," cornerback Richard Sherman said. "So it's going to be one of those things where he has a chance to help us in the playoffs. Any time you can get him, you're happy to have him."

Now, we'll just have to wait and see if the Seahawks have him on the practice field Friday.